Marine is Semifinalist in Ms Veteran America

Woman Beyond the Uniform: DeLand nurse competes for Ms. Veteran America title
Daytona Beach News Journal
By Linda Weaver / Correspondent
May 9, 2017

“It’s about supporting our sisters in arms and the women in homeless situations. This competition hits close to home for me. It’s very important to me because of that.” Traci Walker

Traci Walker, 29, is a registered nurse at Florida Hospital DeLand. On her off hours she does her part to help homeless women veterans and their children.

Walker, who is a U.S. Marine veteran, is a semifinalist in the Ms. Veteran America 2017. The competition showcases “The Woman Beyond the Uniform” and highlights the strength, courage and sacrifice of the military women, while focusing on the fact that the women are also mothers, daughters, sisters and wives.

Proceeds from the event will be used to provide housing for homeless women veterans and their children through Final Salute, Inc.

Walker served for four years as a field radio operator in Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, North Carolina, including one year in Iraq.

She felt the frustration and challenge of returning home after spending time in the military.
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Veterans Treated to Skydiving in DeLand

Veterans gather at Skydive DeLand for Wounded Warrior Weekend
Veterans gather at Skydive DeLand to find thrills, friendship
Daytona Beach News Journal
By Jim Haug
Published: Friday, April 24, 2015

News-Journal/PETER BAUER Carlos Negran, at right, a U.S. Army veteran who served in Iraq, is honored during opening ceremonies during Defending Warrior Weekend at Skydive DeLand, in DeLand, on Friday, April 24, 2015.

Cole Wildey works as a bouncer in downtown DeLand, but bouncing mid-air from an airplane had been an experience that eluded him until Friday at Skydive DeLand.

Wildey, who called himself an “adrenaline junkie,” said he was grateful because to never sky-dive in a training center like DeLand is like “living next to the ocean and never going to the beach.”
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